For Keeps?

    Bob Nappe is back on the beat and, this time, it’s probably for good.

    The East Haven police officer reported to work at 8 a.m. last Friday after more than four years in legal and political limbo.

    “It’s like getting back to an old family–it just takes a little time to get reacquainted,” said Nappe on his first day back on the beat, adding, “I don’t really see an opposition [to my return]…It looks like this time it’s going to stick.”

    Last Thursday’s 3-to-2 vote by the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) to reinstate Nappe paved the way for his return. The BOPC’s new attorney had already withdrawn the board’s appeal of a state Superior Court judge’s mandate to reinstate Nappe and the board’s lawsuit against the Town of East Haven.

    This isn’t the first time in recent months that Nappe’s returned to the East Haven Police Department (EHPD); earlier this year, Nappe reported for work, prompted by Mayor April Capone Almon’s attempt to withdraw the aforementioned Supreme Court appeal. He was turned away on his third day back on the job, when the then-Republican-dominated Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) obtained an injunction against the Town of East Haven.

    This time, though, it’s likely that Nappe’s reinstatement won’t be contended. BOPC Chairman Pat Romano (R), one of the most vocal opponents to Nappe’s reinstatement, admitted there’s no recourse left for those who disagree with the BOPC’s decision. Republicans lost their majority on the board following the passing of late Vice Chairman Terry Pine and his replacement by Democrat Fred Brow.

    “I’m kind of glad it’s over,” Romano admitted late last week. “I’m sorry for the outcome, though.”

    While Romano has maintained that his opposition is not politically biased, the Nappe matter has long been a political football. Capone Almon said Romano’s objections to Nappe’s reinstatement are baseless. The chairman had expressed concern over reinstating Nappe because the police officer had filed a lawsuit claiming post-traumatic stress-related symptoms after being struck by a car while a pedestrian.

    “The concern that I have is that…he’s coming back without any POST [Police Officer Standards and Training] section training…[It’s a POST] requirement to have psychological and polygraph tests.”

    Capone Almon said Nappe has indeed been tested.

    “We have his clearance–psychological and physical,” said the mayor. “We’ve had those since April. Every member of the Police Commission knows that…There is no issue.”

    Capone Almon also dismissed Romano’s contention that the Civil Service Commission’s recent move to oppose reinstating Nappe carried any weight.

    “Civil Service has no part in this…and if Civil Service does try to get involved, it would be beyond the scope of their authority. They could be found personally liable, which means the town would not cover them,” said Capone Almon.

    Nappe’s story began in 2004, when he retired from the EHPD after the BOPC denied him a leave of absence to pursue a voluntary, paid position training Iraqi police officers while working for a contractor for the U.S. Department of State. Upon his return, Nappe worked as a supernumerary officer for the EHPD but was fired for neglect of duty.

    Nappe’s situation prompted the passage of a legislative bill spearheaded by state representatives Mike Lawlor (D-East Haven) and Stephen Dargan (D-West Haven) that guarantees an individual’s right to return to his or her job upon return from a peacekeeping mission.